Hallucinating man threatens uncle with machete, rifle

PALMDALE – A 42-year-old man, who thought people with guns were trying to kill him, barricaded himself in a Palmdale home Sunday afternoon and held his uncle hostage with a machete and a rifle, authorities said.

Nemecio Magallanes was eventually talked out of the home and then arrested at 2:30 p.m. for assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment. A semi-automatic rifle, along with a large amount of rounds, were recovered from inside the location. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The following is the press report from the Palmdale Station:

Palmdale Station Deputies responded to the location [residence at the 37500 Block of 37th Street East in Palmdale] in response to the suspect reporting there were three persons with guns trying to kill him. After deputies arrived, the suspect refused to exit the location and kept hanging up the phone.

A second person from inside the location (victim, uncle of the suspect) then called, stating the suspect was holding him against his will inside the bedroom. He said the suspect was hallucinating and threatening him with a machete.

Deputies contained the location and attempted to talk the suspect out of the location. A deputy on a containment spot observed the suspect through a window walking around with a rifle.

Special Enforcement Bureau deputies (SWAT team) were notified and they responded. While they were en-route, the suspect released the victim and he was safely secured and was uninjured.

As the Special Enforcement Bureau deputies arrived via Air-5 (helicopter) at a nearby field, the suspect walked out of the location while holding the machete. He cooperated with the deputies commands and he was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect was booked at Palmdale Station for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and False Imprisonment. His bail was listed at $50,000.

A search warrant was issued for the location and a semi-automatic rifle, along with a large amount of rounds, were recovered from inside the location.